SPRING THE SEASON OF SUNSHINE AND SHOWERS. May 2017

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1 Lakes Association SPRING THE SEASON OF SUNSHINE AND SHOWERS May 2017 THANK YOU TO MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS Last year we had an amazing number of members get involved with the Association. Once again, we encourage all members to get the most out of the MWLA by volunteering to help with one or more activities. Our volunteers assist with the trout pond and MWLA booth on July 4 th ; monitor your lake for aquatic invasive species; assist with newsletter mailings; attend AIS workshops; help at our Annual Meeting in July and with the Cran-a-rama pontoon tours in October. With your generous donation of time and money, we are able to accomplish our mission to Maintain, protect and enhance the quality of the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes and other Township waters. You can also help us to fulfill our mission by recruiting new MWLA members and volunteers by personally speaking to your friends and family. Memberships can be renewed by filling out and sending in the renewal membership form included on the last page of this newsletter. Annual dues are $25.00 from June 1 to May 31 of the following year. When filling out your renewal form, please read the list of the many ways you can help, and check those you are most passionate about MWLA ANNUAL MEETING & PICNIC JULY 29! The 26 th MWLA Annual Meeting & Picnic will be held at the North Lakeland Discovery Center on Saturday, July 29, Please mark this date on your calendar! Sign-in starts at 3:30 p.m. with the meeting beginning promptly at 4:00, followed by a free picnic dinner for all MWLA members We will again have a raffle of incredible offerings. Look for more details in our Summer Newsletter coming out in mid-july. 1

2 NEW WATER PROGRAM COORDINATOR AT NORTH LAKELAND DISCOVERY CENTER My name is Emily Heald and I am happy to introduce myself to the MWLA as the new Water Program Coordinator for the North Lakeland Discovery Center. I am originally from northern Illinois. I first became familiar with the Northwoods after attending Northland College in Ashland, WI where I earned a B.S. in Natural Resource Management. I then went on to earn an M.S. from the University of Minnesota Duluth in Biology. During my time in graduate school I conducted research at the Trout Lake Field Station in Boulder Junction, where I worked on a whole-lake manipulation project. After that I returned to the Ashland area where I worked as a volunteer coordinator for a small non-profit, and was a park ranger for the National Park Service s Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. In my short time here I am learning an immense amount of information, and am so thankful for the many people who have already approached me willing to help me learn. Please feel free to contact me to introduce yourself or if you have questions. I am looking forward to being a part of the group of people in this area who care immensely for the wonderful water resources the area offers. Next Phase of Manitowish Waters Lake Management Planning Project Awarded! After applying for our final phase of the Lake Management Planning Projects on the Manitowish Chain, which would cover Stone, Vance, Sturgeon and Benson Lakes, and the Manitowish River, we were originally informed from the WDNR that we would not receive funding. However, after some rearranging of funds, the WDNR recently informed us that we will, in fact, receive funding for our final phase! This will be very similar to past phases the North Lakeland Discovery Center and Onterra, LLC will conduct water quality monitoring, AIS surveys and mapping, and aquatic plant community surveys in order to create a management plan for these lakes. The grant will also fund AIS outreach and monitoring. Volunteer hours are required as matching funds for these grants. Please contact Emily Heald at the North Lakeland Discovery Center if you would like to help us monitor for invasive species in the chain! or water@discoverycenter.net Curly-Leaf Pondweed Update: No Chemical Treatment in 2017 Spring has sprung. The air is warming, the ice is melted, the plants are blooming and starting to grow except the invasive species curly-leaf pondweed, which has been busy growing under the ice over the winter - it s about 4 feet tall by now! Curly-leaf pondweed (CLP), one of many aquatic invasive species (AIS) found in the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes, has an interesting life cycle that affects many of our management decisions for how to combat the problem. CLP thrives in cold water which is why it begins to grow over the winter season before other plants begin to grow. It peaks by late spring/early summer, forming dense mats at the surface of the lake. These mats block out sunlight from other plants, prohibiting growth of native species (not to mention other annoying qualities, such as getting stuck in boat props and getting in the way of fishing or swimming). Near the end of its life, CLP grows pinecone-like reproductive buds called turions, which drop from the plant to the substrate at the bottom of the lake. Turions can sprout up the following year, or lay dormant at the bottom of the lake for several years. The plants then die off mid-summer, and the decaying plant matter increases nutrients in the lake (which could lead to algae blooms). Decay also depletes oxygen in the lake, which could negatively affect fish and other aquatic life. By mid-summer, there is no sign of CLP except for what lies beneath, buried in the substrate the turions. For the past several years, the North Lakeland Discovery Center has collaborated with the town of Manitowish Waters, the Manitowish Waters Lakes Association, and, recently, Boulder Junction, to match grant funds with the goal of fighting the CLP infestation. Onterra LLC, a professional environmental consulting company, has chemically treated large patches of CLP in the past years. The chemical works to kill the plant before it produces turions. Then, ideally, next year s plants sprout from old turions in the lake bottom, and eventually the turion seed bank is depleted. This combined with hand harvesting by professional divers is hopefully the successful combination for us to deplete CLP populations and it seems to be working! That being said, in the summer of 2017, Onterra will not be chemically treating CLP. Quantifying the success of the chemical treatments can be difficult, because we cannot be sure of the turions lying-in-wait at the lake bottom. This is why Onterra is taking 2017 as a time to step back, observe the growth, and to re-assess our treatment options. Although there will be no chemical treatment, Onterra s early season CLP surveys will be used to guide professional divers to hand harvest patches of CLP. The North Lakeland Discovery Center, with a team of dedicated volunteers and interns, will also continue to monitor and hand harvest CLP. Volunteers, like YOU are key to our success in solving the problem of invasive species in the Chain. CLP was first discovered in the Chain by a Discovery Center volunteer! We are greatly in need of volunteers to assist us with CLP surveys, hand harvesting, and general AIS monitoring. Getting involved is as easy as walking down your shoreline to 2

3 notice washed up plants, checking your dock legs, or keeping your eyes open while you are out fishing or taking a pontoon cruise on a sunny day! At the Discovery Center, we can teach you exactly what to look for. We offer several trainings throughout the summer specifically for the Manitowish Chain 1:00-3:00pm for the following dates: Saturday June 24, Monday July 17, Saturday August 5, and Monday August 14. If you are interested in attending a training, which includes both classroom and field training, call or Emily Heald, Water Program Coordinator: water@discoverycenter.net (715) We can also assist you in identifying any questionable plants or other critters you find in your lake, just bring in a sample or a couple photographs. As always, a reminder to check your motors as you travel between lakes out on the Chain. CLP can spread by small fragments, and a clean boat motor is an easy way to slow the spread. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Pontoon Tours- Volunteer Monitor Training If you are interested in helping to monitor for invasive species in your lake, please sign up for one the FREE trainings offered through the Discovery Center! Trainings are held 1:00-3:00pm for the following dates: Saturday June 24, Monday July 17, Saturday August 5, Monday August 14. Training will consist of a free pontoon tour that travels through the chain searching for invasive species. We will teach you how to identify common invasive species and their native look-alikes. Meet at Koller Park in Manitowish Waters. An array of tools and resources are available for free or loan. Limited space available. Please pre-register. WELCOME TO THE 2017 SUMMER WATER STAFF The interns will be working to monitor the waters and provide outreach in the Manitowish Waters, Boulder Junction, and Winchester area as well as inspecting boats through the Clean Boats Clean Waters program at Van Vliet, Presque Isle, Big, and Rest Lakes. If you see them out on the water, please introduce yourself! My name is Heather Platt, and I just graduated from SUNY College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry. I was born and raised in New York City, and although I grew up in a major city, I have always been someone much more into the outside world, and understanding how to keep what resources we have left as pristine as possible. I have always had an affinity towards wetlands, and working to keep such diverse and important ecosystems is a mission of mine. I wish to return to graduate school within the next five years, but before I do so I am looking for a thesis question, something that will drive me to truly unlock more knowledge. I have been drawn towards working at the North Lakeland Discovery Center because I truly believe I can learn more about working in wetlands and lakes and carry that knowledge as I continue to grow and expand my works. Hello! My name is John Tesensky and I'm a senior at Cornell College in Iowa. In May, I'll graduate with a degree in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Freshwater Biology/Aquatic Ecology. I'm excited to work at NLDC because I'm passionate about environmental concerns and water resources. This summer, I'm looking forward to meeting new people, working to promote and preserve Wisconsin's natural resources, and experiencing and learning as much as I can in Vilas County. It's a tremendous opportunity to educate and work with Wisconsin's water resources... I can't wait to start! My interests include fishing, hiking, baseball, barbershop quartet harmonies, and mint chocolate chip ice cream! Oh, and the Green Bay Packers! Hello, I m Brandon Oberleitner. I m from the small town of Wabeno in Northern Wisconsin. Ever since I was a child nature has fascinated me, and I have maintained that fascination up to this day. Whether it was fishing with my father and grandfather, catching frogs, turtles, or snakes, or merely sitting outside, I constantly find myself being drawn to the outdoors. I love to kayak, camp, fish, bike, and hike. I graduated from Nicolet Area Technical College in Rhinelander WI with an Associates of Science of Liberal Arts degree with Natural Resources emphasis. I m currently attending UWSP for a Bachelor degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Science. I look forward to gaining experience in working with invasive species and the public this summer at the Discovery Center. 3

4 WALLEYES FOR TOMORROW by Tom Kramer 2016 was a great year featuring our stocking project on the Manitowish Chain. After a very successful special fund raiser, we ended up purchasing and stocking 35,420 extended growth walleyes throughout the Manitowish Chain. Although our initial goal was 42,000 fish, we were limited by the amount of fish available from authorized hatcheries. The information below details the amount of fish released per lake to date. We felt the Chain needed a boost due to the amount of complaints from local anglers concerned with the declining population of walleyes. We were initially told by the DNR Fisheries Biologist that normal and customary procedures do not permit stocking of fish in lake with solid natural reproduction histories. However, we then approached the Fisheries Bureau Deputy Director out of Madison and had a meeting with him on this situation. During this long meeting, we not only explained our circumstances but noted our desire to fund the project. The DNR ultimately agreed to let us stock 10 fish per acre on the Manitowish chain. We truly appreciate the cooperation the DNR has provided. Part of the agreement included a Memorandum of understanding document (Formal Agreement with the DNR) detailing requirements for additional walleyes population studies through 2020 with a specific focus on natural vs. stocked walleye populations. The DNR and GLIFWC Tribal Fisheries Biologists will be heading up the walleye population studies. There will also be a full-blown fish population study of the MW Chain in Our WFT committee and other members worked side by side with the DNR Fisheries Biologist and his team to individually hand clip each of the 35,420 fish that were stocked. Hand clipping each fish enables us to identify whether a fish obtained during a survey is a natural reproduced fish or one of the stocked fish. Samples of clipped fins from the stocked fish were sent to the UW-Stevens Point laboratory for DNA testing. With this data, it will also be possible to determine if stocked fish are reproducing with the native fish. Our fund raiser for this effort was totally amazing. A surprising amount of people responded to support this cause. We raised over $82,000 from people who genuinely care about the MW Chain and want to look out for the future of these lakes. Our committee will also be helping the MW Lakes Association by installing fish sticks and tree drops in the MW Chain utilizing a Healthy Lakes grant the Lakes Association secured for improving fish habitat. MANITOWISH WATERS STOCKING- Fall 2016 Lake Acres 10/ Acre # Stocked # Remaining Alder Island Spider Stone/Fawn Clear Rest Manitowish Little Star Wild Rice Grand Total Walleyes for Tomorrow will be holding their annual fund raiser/banquet on Thursday, June 8, It will be held at the Chippewa Retreat Resort White Oak Inn. Contact Tom Kramer Chapter Chairman with any questions at or - tom@bearcountrybuilders.com I m sure all the members of the MWLA join me in thanking Tom and the rest of the WFT board and their team of volunteers for all their efforts to restore fishing in our Chain and other lakes in our area. They have simply done just a fantastic job. PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE BEETLE PROJECT PARTNERSHIP Purple loosestrife is an invasive species that overtakes the habitat of native plants that are essential to the resident wildlife. On May 10 th, seventeen North Lakeland School 7 th graders partnered with the Discovery Center and the MWLA to spend the morning identifying and digging up purple loosestrife plants growing around Big Muskellunge Lake. They spent the afternoon at the Discovery Center potting and netting about 60 plants for the Manitowish Waters purple loosestrife beetle-rearing bio-control project. The students did a fantastic job! This project has been a huge success as after about 10 4

5 years of work the students found that the PL has been largely eradicated in large areas of Big Muskellunge Lake due to the beetles. It was difficult finding enough PL plants to dig up! The beetles eat and weaken the plant, keeping flowers from forming and have proved to be an extremely effective biological control. The beetles are reared on the netted plants at the Discovery Center and released into larger, established infestations on the Chain. Volunteers also pull non-established smaller populations and cut flower heads to slow the spread of seeds during mid-to-late summer. The work day was led by Emily Heald of the Discovery Center, and was assisted by Karen Dixon (MWLA), and Christine Wallace (NLS). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Check out our website at to access board meeting minutes, lakes-related articles, information on aquatic invasive species, past e-newsletters, and many other interesting topics. The MWLA Board of Directors appreciates your continued support. Bob Becker 17 Paul Puccinelli 17 Eleanor Butler 17 Jo Ann Miller 18 President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Spider Lake Rest Lake Alder Lake Sturgeon Lake Karen Dixon Mary Bowlus 18 Greg Holt 18 Angela Dombrowicki 18 Past-President Rest Lake Benson Lake Alder Lake Manitowish River Tom Kramer 18 Delp Schafer 18 Jim Reichert 17 Bob Stowers 17 Hwy. 51 Rest Lake Alder Lake Manitowish Lake

6 MWLA Membership Application/Renewal Annual Dues $25.00 (June 1 to May 31 of the following year) Make check payable to: Manitowish Waters Lakes Association or MWLA Mail to: P.O. Box 286, Manitowish Waters, WI The Manitowish Waters Lakes Association is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization. All donations to the MWLA are fully tax deductible as allowed by relevant law. MWLA does not share its membership list with other organizations. Name(s) Lake/river you live on or are closest to if off-water Primary Mailing Address City State Zip Manitowish Waters Address Indicate when mail is delivered to you in MW (from what month to what month): to MW Phone Primary Residence Phone Cell Phone Please provide an address so you can receive MWLA e-alerts and e-newsletters. address: (Please print clearly) With the awarding of the WDNR Grants, we are especially in need of members who are willing to help offset the in-kind hours required by the grants. I am willing to volunteer some of my time to: monitoring AIS 4 th of July Annual Meeting Cran-a-rama Mailings If you are unable to volunteer the gift of time, we ask that you please consider making a monetary contribution. I am including a donation for the following: Aquatic Invasive Species Education and Prevention Annual Meeting Raffle Fish Habitat Project Fish Stocking (WFT) Miscellaneous 6